Improvement in wagon-bodies



` C. A. De WOLF.

WAGON-BODY.

No.170.159, Patented Nov. 23,1875.

Milz-F525. PHOTO-LITHOGRAFHER. WASHINGTON. D. C.

UNITED STATEs PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES A. DEwoLr, or WYOMING, .ILLINoIs IMPROVEMENT IN WAGON-BODIES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 170,159, dated November 23, 1875; application led a p October 27, 1875.

To all whom vt may concern:

Beit known thatI, CHARLES A. DEWoLE, of Wyoming, in the county of Stark and State ofIllinois, have invented a convertible Wagon- Box, Hay-Rack, and Hog-Rack and do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making a part of this specification, in which like letters of reference refer to like parts, and in which-,-

Figure 1 represents a longitudinal elevation of the invention as a hog-rack, erect upon a wagon-box 5 Fig. 2, a vertical longitudinal section of saine; Fig. 3, an end view of same; Fig. 4, a vertical section, (cross,) with the boards F F inclined outward as a hay-rack.

.This invention consists of a box or Wagonbody, Withupper boards so hinged to the body as will, when confined in an upright position, form a hog-rack or carrier for hogs and, when said boards are inclined outward upon side braces, form a hay-rack; and, when thel top boards are removed by slipping them from their hinges, convert the lower part into a wagon-box.

One of the forms in Which'I construct this Y invention is as follows: ln the drawings, A

represents the bottom of the box provided with the usual sides B B, made separable, as hereafter described, and end pieces C D, with retaining-cleats m m g', for said ends, and brace- 'rod d at the forward end. The tail-board D is hinged to the bottom A, and is furnished with a bar, e, provided with eyes at either end, in the usual manner, to pass onto the side pins f f. Beneath the bed A are cross-supports b b b,

into the eyes ofwhich the vertical ends of the cleats a a a pass,which are -there secured by pins or similar detents. The said supports b b b each terminate, beyond said vertical cleats a, in a slotted point in a common form, to receive the eyes of one of the pendent braces I -I Ion either side ofthe box. Across the front end of the-box is the roller E, from which'rises the bindin g-pole k, for securing the hay, which may be takenpout when the whole-is used as a hog-rack. On the inside of each side board of the box is fastened the vertical cleats c' il i, each ending, at the upper edge of the box, in eyes to receive the respective pins or ends of the cleats j j j of the upperboardsFF, or upper extensions of said box, which are each hinged to the latter, as above described, in such a manner as tofacilitate theF removal of said boards F F, to convert the same into a simple wagon-box.. Said boards are also provided with end cleats g g n a, to receive the respective end pieces Gr H, to close the rack, and are held upright by the usual brace-rods p p. The parts, asa whole, now form the hog-rack. (See Figs. 1 2 3.) Upon the outside of each of the boards F F are arranged at equal intervals, and opposite to the bed-supports b b b, vertical cleats t t t, ending, each, at the upper edge l of said boards F F, in a hinged connection with `the respective braces I I I, which latter, when said boards areinclined outward to form a hayrack, support the same above the wagon- .Wheels by the passage of the eyes in each of their lower ends onto the respective points of the supports b b b projecting from the bottom ofthe box A B, where they are secured by pins, which pass Within slots or holes in the ends of said supports. I also make the side braces I I I in other forms, and of wood.

' The operation of this convertible hay and hog rack and wagon-box is as follows: The box A B G D is made in separate pieces, for the convenience of packing away when not used as a wagon-box, or when the saine is made of greater length than will serve for' an ordinary wagon-box, the side pieces B B lifting off and out of the cross-pieces b b b.

When it is desired to use this invention as a hog-rack (see Figs. 1, 2, 3) the upper boards F F are attached, by means of their respective cleats jjj, to their corresponding cleats i c' i on the sides B B, and are kept vertical by means of the rods p p at either end, the end pieces Gr H being each retained within their respective cleats g g n n, the whole making a secure, cheap box or rack for carrying hogs.

The hog-rack, Figs. l and` 2, is convertible into a hay-rack by removing the rods p p, and the end pieces G H, and inclining the boards F F outward over the Wheels, so that the ends of the pendent braces I I I are secured to their respective pin and socket points of the holsters or cross-supports b b b. Ihe end boards C D may beremoved, and the binding-pole k be used in the ordinary manner to serve in securing the hay.

YVhat I claim as my invention is l. The boXA B G D, provided With cleats i t', &c., and with eyes or sockets for the reception ofthe pins of the cleats j j j, Ste., of the upper boards F F, and cross-supports or holsters b b b, provided with tongues and sockets at their outer ends for the reception of the braces I I I, substantially as and for the purposes described.

2. The combination, With the box A B C D, by means ofthe hinged cleatsjjj it, of the removable adjustable upper boards-F F, provided with cleats g g un, end boards G H, and bracerods p p, andexterior hinged braces I I I, constructed, arranged, and operating substantial- 1y as and for the purposes described.

3. lhe combination, With the holsters b b'b, formed With socketed ends, ofthe hinged braces I I I, in the manner and for the purposes described.

4. The combination and arrangement of the 'adjustable in the respective sockets of said supports b, and with cleats mgm g, end boards C D, brace-rods d e, and soeketed cleats it?) hinged to the cleats j j j of the removable side boards F F, the boards F F, end boards G H, brace-rods p p, and adjustable outside braces I I I, operating substantially as and for the purposes described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing convertible Wagon-box, hay and hog rack I have hereunto set my hand this 11th fday of October, A. D. 1875.

. CHARLES A. DEWOLF. Witnesses: J. E. DECKER, W. H. BOYER. 

